So in Col. 4.16. [And when this Epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea.] This Church was such as an Epistle might be read in, which doubtless was an Assembly. The whole matter seems plain in the case of the famous Church at Antioch, Acts 11.26. A whole year they assembled themselves with the Church, and taught much people] Here is mention but of One Assembly, which is called the Church; where the people, it seems, were taught. And its plain that there were many Elders in this one Church; for Acts 13.1. it said [There were in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers] And five of them are named, who are said to Minister there to the Lord ▪ And though I do not conclude that they were all the fixed Elders of that particular Church, yet while they were there they had no less power then if they had been such. In the third Epistle of John, where there is oft mention of that particular Church, it appeareth Verse 6. that it was such a Church as before which the brethren and strangers could bear witness of Gaius Charity: And its most probable that was one Assembly; but utterly improbable that they travailed from Congregation to Congregation to bear this witness. And Vers. 9, 10. it was such a Church as John wrote an Epistle to, and which Diotrephes cast men out of: which is most likely to be a Congregation, which might at once hear that Epistle, and out of which Diotrephes might •asilier reject strangers, and reject the Apostles letters, then out of many such Congregations, Gal. 1.22. When Paul saith, he was Unknown by face to the Churches of Judea, it is most likely that they were Churches which were ⟨p. 80⟩capable of seeing and knowing his face not only by parts, but as Churches. And its likely those Churches that praised Luke, and sent him with Paul as their chosen messenger, were such as could meet to choose him, and not such as our Dioceses are, 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. Paul gives order both to the Church of Corinth, and the Churches of Galatia, that upon the Lords day at the Assembly (as it is ordinarily expounded) they should give in their part for the relief of the Churches of Judea. So that it seems most likely that he makes [Churches] and such Assemblies to be all one, Acts 14.23. They ordained them Elders, Church by Church, or in every Church.
So in Col. 4.16. [And when this Epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea.] This Church was such as an Epistle might be read in, which doubtless was an Assembly. The whole matter seems plain in the case of the famous Church at Antioch, Acts 11.26. A whole year they assembled themselves with the Church, and taught much people] Here is mention but of One Assembly, which is called the Church; where the people, it seems, were taught. And its plain that there were many Elders in this one Church; for Acts 13.1. it said [There were in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers] And five of them are named, who are said to Minister there to the Lord ▪ And though I do not conclude that they were all the fixed Elders of that particular Church, yet while they were there they had no less power then if they had been such. In the third Epistle of Iohn, where there is oft mention of that particular Church, it appeareth Verse 6. that it was such a Church as before which the •rethren and strangers could bear witness of Gaius Charity: And its most probable that was one Assembly; but utterly improbable that they travailed from Congregation to Congregation to bear this witness. And Vers. 9, 10. it was such a Church as Iohn wrote an Epistle to, and which Diotrephes cast men out of: which is most likely to be a Congregation, which might at once hear that Epistle, and out of which Diotrephes mig•t •asilier reject strangers, and reject the Apostles letters, then out of many such Congregations, Gal. 1.22. When Paul saith, he was Vnknown by face to the Churches of Iudea, it is most likely that they were Churches which were ⟨p. 80⟩capable of seeing and knowing his face not only by parts, but as Churches. And its likely those Churches that praised Luke, and sent him with Paul as their chosen messenger, were such as could meet to choose him, and not such as our Diocesses are, 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. Paul gives order both to the Church of Corinth, and the Churches of Galatia, that upon the Lords day at the Assembly (as it is ordinarily expounded) they should give in their part for the relief of the Churches of Iudea. So that it seems most likely that he makes [Churches] and such Assemblies to be all one,
